Writing an Argumentative Paragraph In only 8 sentences!

So what format should I use? For the purposes of Ms. Berumen’s class. I’m expecting you to use the following format: Sentence 1: Thesis Statement- the Essential Question and your opinion Sentence 2: Overview or Background Information Sentences 3-4: Citation/Evidence #1 with explanation Sentences 5-6: Citation/Evidence #2 with explanation Sentence 7*: Counter-Argument (why would someone disagree with you, but why you’re still right! Sentence 8: Concluding sentence - “What did you learn?” So, I want 2 reasons why you believe what you believe, or 2 pieces of evidence to support your argument. *Counter-Arguments are movable and can go anywhere in your argument.

Sentence 1: Creating a Thesis Remember: Thesis Statements include the Essential Question and your opinion Essential Question: How is global warming effecting our planet? Ex: Global Warming is causing destruction to our planet since it has increased hurricane strength. Topic (Essential Question): How is global warming effecting our planet? Goal (your opinion): to prove that its destroying our planet How (a clue to your evidence): hurricanes have increased

Sentence 2 Creating an Overview or Background If your writing is based on a book, poem, movie, article, or other literary device, make sure you refer to it in your background sentence. Ex. After reading the article, “The Global Warming Standstill” by David Whitehouse, I learned that, because of man-made green house gases, the earth’s ozone layer is being stripped away letting in more UV rays to raise temperatures.

Sentences 3-4 or 5-6 Creating a Citation Only by reading the text can you find a citation. You must put the citation IN your sentence, never in a sentence by itself! Ex: According to Globe Watch Magazine, “This rise over the past 30 years has caused a 22% increase of category 4.0 and 5.0 hurricanes.” Your words in your sentence. Word for word quote from the text in quotation marks in your sentence.

Sentences 3-4 or 5-6 Creating an explanation Your goal is to create a LINK between the fact and your opinion. If the citation is: In 2005, environmental scientist Dr. Hannen reported that Hurricane Katrina “was the costliest natural disaster” and became “one of the five deadliest hurricanes in the history of the United States.” Ex: This destruction was not limited to just flooding and wind damage, but included human pain, suffering, and even death. Intensified hurricanes + cost = destructive Evidence (citation) + Explanation = Your Opinion

Sentence 7* Counter-(your)Argument Briefly explain why someone might disagree with your opinion, then explain why you’re still right. It does NOT need to take up a lot of space in your work. Just ONE sentence will do the trick! EX. Although some people still don’t believe global warming is man-made, the truth is we are contributing to global pollution which is changing our environment and putting us in danger. *Counter Arguments can go anywhere in your argument. Put it wherever it makes most sense you! green = counter red = your argument

Sentence 8 Creating a conclusion: It’s tempting to just restate the topic sentence. Don’t do that! It’s boring to repeat! HOW did discovering the evidence make you FEEL or THINK differently about the topic? Ex: In conclusion, the destruction caused by ever- increasing hurricanes is just one major reason to end Global Warming.

So what does it look like all together? Global Warming is causing destruction to our planet since it has increased hurricane strength in the past several decades. After reading the article, “The Global Warming Standstill” by David Whitehouse, I learned that, because of man-made green house gases, the earth’s ozone layer is being stripped away letting in more UV rays to raise temperatures. According to Globe Watch Magazine, “This rise over the past 30 years has caused a 22% increase of category 4.0 and 5.0 hurricanes.” These intensified hurricanes have cost over $200 billion dollars in damages worldwide just this year alone. In 2005, environmental scientist Dr. Hannen reported that Hurricane Katrina “was the costliest natural disaster” and became “one of the five deadliest hurricanes in the history of the United States.” However, this destruction was not limited to just flooding and wind damage, but included human pain, suffering, and even death. Although some people still don’t believe global warming is man-made, the truth is we are contributing to global pollution which is changing our environment and putting us in danger. In conclusion, the destruction caused by ever-increasing hurricanes is just one major reason to end Global Warming. So ask yourself: did it answer the Essential Question… How is global warming effecting our planet? Sprinkle paragraph with transition words to help go from one idea to another.